features: Transport controls are logically and sequen­tially arranged for operating convenience. Acoustic damping has been added to provide extremely quiet operation. Remote control switching is built into the AG-440B.

Precision milled die-cast top plate provides absolutely flat, rigid mounting of mechanical components for tracking alignment.

Automatic tape lifters ease the tape away from the heads during rewind and fast forward, and do not return to normal position until tape comes to complete stop. For editing or cueing, this can be overridden manually, electrically, or by remote control.

Tape guides rotate to provide guiding for 14 or V2 inch tape. It is not necessary to remove guides to accommodate change in tape width.

Individual torque motor tension controls pro­vide compensated switching for large or small hub reels. Slide resistors under transport pro­vide fine adjustments.

Tape speed switch selects fast or slow speed and automatically switches electronics for proper equalization.

Time tested and proven braking system pro­vides smooth, fast positive action. Individual solenoid actuated brakes on each motor en­able precise adjustment for optimum perform­ance.

Capstan idler maintains accurate traction pressure through quiet, yet positive solenoid control.

Reel idler pulley has heavy-mass flywheel to provide essential filtering. This, along with the precision capstan assembly and hysteresis synchronous motor, holds flutter and wow at a minimum.

Transport houses regulated power supply and master bias oscillator to feed up to four elec­tronics channels. This eliminates inter-chan­nel beats and assures stable performance. Modulation noise is reduced by using 150 kHz bias frequency.

Electronic modules incorporate logic and control circuitry that eliminate annoying edit­ing "pops" when switching record amplifier on and off.

All electronics are so designed that modules plug into the front of the chassis for easy, rapid accessibility. Playback, record and bias amplifier boards have all necessary adjust­ments accessible from the front of the re­corder. A security cover discourages unau­thorized adjustments.

AG-440B

In udio

The new AG-440B is studio quiet. It's the same rugged reliable professional recorder as its predecessor, but with a new standard for quiet operation. Quiet enough for use in the studio with live microphones.

THE QUIET SYSTEM. The AG-440B has re­designed electro-mechanical components and circuitry for acoustically quieter operation. All transport controls have been damped to elim­inate 80% of mechanical noise. Editing "pops" have been eliminated through new logic circuitry. Automatic tape lifters are de­layed to eliminate "shrieking" as tape is stopped.

STABILITY. The AG-440B's rigid die-cast frame provides absolutely flat mounting of all mechanical components and assures track­ing stability. With its three point mounting, no flexing or distortion wi ll occur in any configur­ation, whether mobile or fixed.

MAINTAINABILITY. The AG-440B is designed for rapid, easy maintenance, and minimum downtime . Modular design, front of panel plug-in boards provide fast replacement or servicing. (Reserve boards permit the user to have full backup should split second main­tenance be required.) Individual head stacks can be replaced with a single screw and plug­in connector. Transport motors, guides and major components can be quickly removed and replaced in exact alignment because of the precision milled transport casting. Con­sole models permit rotating transport for rapid accessibility.

CONVERTIBILITY. The AG-440B is converted between % and V2 inch tapes with ease. Tape transport guides rotate for either % or V2 inch tape. Four channel capability may be added to one or two channel AG-440B equipment by installing additional electronics, changing heads and head cables. The AG-440B console over-bridge modular mount accepts from 1 to 4 (or more) 3V2 inch electronics panels.

RELIABILITY. The precision-milled, die-cast top-plate provides exact alignment of com­ponents for trouble-free tape handling. The proven AG-440B electronic module is not only the quietest in the industry, but also the most trou ble-free.

FLEXIBILITY. The AG-440B is available in con­sole, portable, or unmounted for rack installa­

tion; one, two, or fou r track configurations. Custom

versions can be supplied on special order, or field

converted to meet special requirements.

Also available is the AG-445B, a play­back only version

of the AG-440B. It is available in one,

two, or four channel configurations as

console or unmounted.

INVESTMENT PROTECTION. The Ampex AG­440B allows you to expand when necessary. You can keep pace with changing require­ments, by using the building block increments of Ampex's new quiet generation in profes­sional audio recorders.

FINANCING. Ampex offers special lease or installment purchase plans on all AG-440B equipment. See your distributor, or contact one of the Ampex District Offices listed on the back of this brochure.

Individual electronic modules require only 31/2 inches of vertical space. Record level and reproduce level are controlled by new large skirted • knobs with reset indicators. \

Electronics have built-in SEL-SYNC· (selective synchronization) that allows selective switching of record heads for operation as playback heads.

Equalizers plug into record and playback boards to match individual heads and trans­port speeds. Adjustments are accessible from the front.

Large illuminated easy-to-read VU meter can be switched to read recorder input, repro­ducer output and bias current.

Head assemblies can be replaced in less than four minutes by removing three screws. The gate opens fu lIy to allow access to the heads for editing, head cleaning or demagnetizing. The head assembly provides adequate space for a fourth head. Individual plug-in head stacks are easily replaced.

Jewel bearing scrape flutter idler reduces scrape flutter by 75%. An accessory idler is available for mounting between the erase and record heads to further reduce flutter.

All heads are low impedance which reduces microphonics and permits longer head cables without high frequency loss.

Head stacks mount with a single screw and plug-in connector permitting individual re­placement or configuration changes.

Playback heads have triple shields with lapped housing and covers for minimum noise.

Flattop head housing permits mounting of commercial edit block.

'TM Ampex Corporation

•accessories: REMOTE CONTROL. Allows operation from one or more locations. Duplicates all func­tions of record, play, fast forward, rewind, stop and tape lifter override.

PLUG-I N I N PUT UN ITS. Interchangeable units match various inputs such as transformer for balanced bridging, 600 ohm line matching, or preamplifiers for both low and high output microphones.

RECORD SCRAPE FLUTTER IDLER. Readily installed between the erase and record heads, second optional scrape flutter idler further reduces flutter.

EXTENDER BOARDS. These permit servicing or testing electronics boards while in opera­tion.

PORTABLE AMPLIFIER/SPEAKER SYSTEM. A solid-state, 15 watt portable speaker/amp

(AA-620) with system matched components.

MICROPHONE/LINE MIXER 6-position, 2-channel compact professional mixer (AM-10) for two channel stereo and monophonic recording. Available for rack

mounting, or with meter panel and portable

case . .. .-. ../'"~--./

TAPE SPEEDS: 7V2 and 15 ips, or 3~ and 71h ips.

ips eM/sec 3~ 9.52 7V2 19.05

15 38.10

SIGNAL-TO-NOISE RATIO: Full 2 4

Speed Track Track Track 15 Ips 66 dB 63 dB 60 dB

7V2 ips 66 dB 63 dB 60 dB 3~ ips 63 dB 56 dB 56 dB

Peak record level to unweighted noise (30 to 18,000 Hz.) Includes bias, erase and playback amplifier noise using Ampex 404 series tape or equivalent.

FREQUENCY RESPONSE - OVERALL: 15 Ips ± 2 dB 3D-18,OOO Hz

7V2 ips ± 2 dB 40-15,000 Hz 30/4 ips _ 2 dB 50- 7,500 Hz

FLUTTER: Speed Percentage 15 Ips below 0.08% rms

7V2 Ips below 0.1 % rms 3~ ips below 0.15% rms

Percentage of total flutter Is measured by the methods of American Standard Association 257.1-1954, In a band 0.5 to 200 cps, while reproducing an Ampex Flutter Test Tape (flut­ter on test tape less than 0.03%).

PLAYBACK OUTPUT: + 8 dBm into 600 ohms -restrappable for +4 dBm output, balanced or unbalanced. Clip level not less than -I 28 dBm.

DISTORTION: Second harmonic distortion of a 500 Hz signal recorded at peak record level Is less than 0.4%.

RECORD INPUT: lOOK unbalanced bridging with dummy plug supplied or 20K balanced bridging with plug-in transformer supplied with each electronics. - 17 dBm to produce recommended operating level.

ELECTRONIC ADJUSTMENTS: Accessible from front-equalization; reproduce calibra­tion; record calibration; bias adjustment; bias calibration; erase adjust. SEL-SYNC levei and bias trap adjustment on rear of chassis.

SIN ratio and frequency response specifications not ap­plicable to 4-track, Y4 -Inch models.

START/STOP: START: tape at full speed in less than 5/10

second. STOP: at 15 ips, tape moves less than 2 inches

after pressing stop button.

PLAYBACK TIMING ACCURAC Y: 0.2% ( _ 3.6 seconds in 30 minutes recording time).

MOUNTING CONFI GURATIONS: Portable, unmounted, console (electronics above trans­port).

TAPE WIDTH: Standard V4" (1 or 2 channels) or 1h" (4 channel) Ampex 404 series profes­sional recording tape recommended for opti­mum performance.

REEL SIZE: Standard up to 10V2" reels, ad­justable up to 11 V2" reels.

EQUALIZATION: All standard models sup­plied with NAB equalization. CCIR curves available on special order.

EDIT CONTROL: Edit button stops take-up reel, permitting tape to move In play mode without winding on reel. Button also releases brakes In stop mode for easier threading.

REWIND TIME: Approximately 1 minute for 2400 foot NAB reel; 30 seconds for 1200 foot EIA reel.

AMPLIFIERS: Separate record, reproduce and bias amplifiers p lug-in from front of module. Input or output may be monitored during re­cording.

BIAS AND ERASE FREQUENCY: 150 kHz.

POWER REQUIREMENTS: Standard models are 117 volts, 50 or 60 cycle. Units with multi­ple tapped power input transformers are avail­able on special order. Single channel requires 2.3 amps; two channel requires 2.5 amps; four channel requires 2.9 amps. All machines are supplied with 3 wire grounding power cord.

DIMENSIONS: Single channel console-40V2" high, 24V2" wide, 27V2" deep. Add 3V2" height per additional channel. Standard 19" wide pane ls with commercial notching for rack mounting. Transport requires 15% Inches of rack space.

WARRANTY: AG-440B equipment is warrant­ed against defects in workmanship and mate­rial for one year. All units listed by Underwriters Laboratories.

Ampex Corporation reserves the right to change specifi­cations without notice and without obligation. These spec­ifications supersede all previous specifications. slated or Implied.

enhancement for the AG-440B, and an 8-track,1-inch ape versio For increased excellence in highly critical or very sophisticated applications, Ampex offers accesso­ries which offer precise recording control and capability for locking to other media.

Capstan Servo The capstan servo accessory isolates capstan drive speed from line power, with its associated frequency fluctuations. As a result, timing accuracy is im­proved, and flutter is greatly reduced . In addition, the capstan servo permits use of other sophisticated controls such as the Sync Lock accessory described below.

Immunity from line power is achieved because the servo supplies its own drive power directly to the printed circuit DC capstan motor. The capstan itself is the extended shaft of that motor.

Variable speed control of from 2 to 50 ips may also be achieved using an external oscillator in conjunc­tion with the capstan servo.

Sync Lock The sync lock accessory, used in conjunction with the capstan servo, assures constant sync to film or to video. The ability to lock to these media fur­ther enhances the application possibilities of AG­440 series recorders.

Signal source for the control track and playback reference may be selected from line, composite

sync, crystal oscillator, or any appropriate external source.

Sync lock may be used with external record/play electronics, or with a plug-in reproduce amplifier for such applications as those involving a neo-pilot control head and a center control track on 114 /I tape. Self-contained variable speed control makes it a simple matter to achieve lip sync.

AG-440-8 Master Recorder / Rep roducer More technical versatility is attainable with the 8­channel version of the AG-440B. This superb and highly reliable recorder, which uses 1-inch tape, is the lowest priced 8-channel recorder available.

It features the same quiet, ease of operation and rugged reliability of the AG-440 series. Permanent tracking alignment is assured by the ribbed , die-cast top plate. Special reel motor control circuitry makes light work of accurately handling 10V2-inch reels.

Standard Test and Alignment Tape A line of standard reproducer alignment test tapes and flutter test tapes is available for NAB, CCIR, IEC, RIAA, EIA and DIN standards. Each is an orig­inal recording , not a dub. Complete information in­cluded in booklet entitled "Test Tape Applications."

U • II•• Offices In: CALIFORNIA, Los Angeles (213) 241).6000, San Francisco (416) 367-4431 GEORGIA, Atlanta (404) 633-4131 • ILLINOIS, Chicago (312) 693-6000 • MARYLAND, Bethesda (301) 63Q.8800 MASSACHUSETTS, Boston (617) 89Q..2040 • NEW JERSEY, Hackensack (201) 489·7400 (In New York City 736-6116) OHIO, Dayton (513) 264-8101 PENNSYLVANIA, Philadelphia (216) 887·7660 TEXAS, Dallas (214) 637·5100 Sales and Service Companies throu",ou ttl. world.

lonal Sa.. Officea In: ARGENTINA, Buanos Aires • AUSTRALIA, ArUrmon. NSW • BELGIUM, Nivell. • BRAZIL, Rio de Janeiro' CANADA. Rexdale, Ontario' COLOMBIA, Bogota • ENGLAND, Reeding FRANCE, Boulogne GERMANY, Frankfurt/Mein HOLLAND, Utrecht HONG KONG, B.C.C . • ITALY, Rome JAPAN, Tokyo LEBANON, BeIrut MEXICO, Mexico City SOUTH AFRICA, Johannesburg • SWEDEN, Sundbyberg SWITZERLAND Frlbourg' (U.s. H .,..: Ampex In18m8tional Operatlons,lnc., P.O. Box 4000, Redwood City, Callfom 94063)

Ampex CO~lfon, Audlo-Vfdeo Sy ms Division 4O' B~AMPEX Redwood City, CaUfoml 94083